WILD TURKEY
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Patience, Patience, Patience!!!
Turkey hunting takes a lot of patience, but it's great to be out in the woods early in the morning watching and listening for wildlife. Spring turkey hunting involves making hen turkey sounds to try to get a gobbler to come near you. If you're spring hunting, there are a number of turkey calling devices you can use to make a turkey sound. No matter what type of call you pick, it's important to practice, practice, practice. In order to learn turkey calls, you'll need to listen to live turkeys, a recording, or get help from an experienced turkey hunter. Turkeys make more than two dozen different calls, but most hunters only notice about 10.
Here are some basic sounds you should be able to recognize.
Tree yelp. This is the first turkey sound heard in the morning. It is a slow, soft, nasal sound, made of 3 or 4 yelps. It is made only at daybreak from the roost. It is a turkey greeting call to make sure that all is well after a dark night of not seeing or hearing one another.
Plain yelp. The sound is one of the ones most people associate with turkeys. They use this sound to communicate with birds far away. This sound is made by both male and female turkeys in the fall, winter, and spring.
Cluck. This sound is a short, soft, single-syllable, non-musical tone. It is used to get another turkey's attention.
Purr. Like the name implies, this is a soft call used by turkeys when communicating.
Putt. This is a short, sharp, loud cluck. It sounds very similar to the cluck, only the cluck is softer and less distinct.
Mating call. In the spring, this is heard as three yelps rising in volume, a pause, then two soft clucks.
Cackle. A cackle is an excited call of a hen and is often heard when the bird is flying down from a roost. It is usually a series of 12 or more yelps which rise in pitch and then gradually decline.
Cut. A cut is a short, staccato yelp and is usually made by the hen in a series, varying in length.
Gobble. This is the sound most of us think of when we think of turkeys.
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WILD TURKEY FOOD SOURCES
Biologists have studied thousands of turkey crops, gizzards and droppings and determined that the big birds are opportunistic omnivores. They will eat virtually any plant or small animal they can put their beaks on!
It is interesting to note that turkeys are predators when they peck from their eggshells. Tiny turkeys devour flies, moths, beetles, locusts, grasshoppers and other insects, which are high in protein and help them grow rapidly. A turkey supplement their diet with seeds, leaves, stems and other plant matter.
As turkeys grow their dependence on insects subsides. Once turkeys are about a month old, they switch to a diet of mainly plants. Juvenile and adult turkeys feed heavily on hard mast (acorns, beechnuts, etc.), soft mast (grapes, berries and the like), seeds, sedges, forbs, leaves, buds, green shoots and many other types of plants. They visit agricultural fields and food plots to glean corn, wheat, oats, clover, rye and other grains and grasses. The birds supplement their diet with insects, snails, grubs, worms, salamanders, spiders and other small animals.
The availability and abundance of preferred foods can determine the travel patterns of flocks. This is most evident in autumn, when turkeys depend heavily on mast. In a good mast year when acorns, beechnuts, dogwood berries and other fruits are everywhere, turkeys hang in the woods and generally don’t move very far from one food source to the next. But during a lean autumn when mast is scarce, turkeys must travel long distances to find pockets of productive nuts or berries. Also, flocks leave the woods and move out into farmlands where row crops grow.
Danielle Russell © 2010
It is interesting to note that turkeys are predators when they peck from their eggshells. Tiny turkeys devour flies, moths, beetles, locusts, grasshoppers and other insects, which are high in protein and help them grow rapidly. A turkey supplement their diet with seeds, leaves, stems and other plant matter.
As turkeys grow their dependence on insects subsides. Once turkeys are about a month old, they switch to a diet of mainly plants. Juvenile and adult turkeys feed heavily on hard mast (acorns, beechnuts, etc.), soft mast (grapes, berries and the like), seeds, sedges, forbs, leaves, buds, green shoots and many other types of plants. They visit agricultural fields and food plots to glean corn, wheat, oats, clover, rye and other grains and grasses. The birds supplement their diet with insects, snails, grubs, worms, salamanders, spiders and other small animals.
The availability and abundance of preferred foods can determine the travel patterns of flocks. This is most evident in autumn, when turkeys depend heavily on mast. In a good mast year when acorns, beechnuts, dogwood berries and other fruits are everywhere, turkeys hang in the woods and generally don’t move very far from one food source to the next. But during a lean autumn when mast is scarce, turkeys must travel long distances to find pockets of productive nuts or berries. Also, flocks leave the woods and move out into farmlands where row crops grow.
Danielle Russell © 2010
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HOW TO SHOOT THE BOSS GOBBLER
Most of us would like to shoot the biggest, oldest gobbler on our property. The problem is that it can be hard to tell which gobbler this is until you actually have him in hand.
Fortunately, there are a few clues that may give a turkey hunter an advantage in picking out the dominant tom.
Most of the time, the biggest and/or oldest gobbler is likely to also be the dominant one within a flock. He can often be identified by the way he acts. When watching a small group of gobblers in the spring as they approach a hen or come to your calling, look for the longbeard that does all or most of the strutting. He will be the dominant bird nearly every time.
The other gobblers around the dominant bird will often strut, too, but usually they will not strut as long or as fully fanned. The boss gobbler may not come out of strut at all, his head is usually pulled in close to his body, and his fan is sticking straight up.
Another clue to identifying pecking order is to watch for attacks from the dominant tom toward other gobblers. The big boy may chase the others, or he may just turn their way, causing them to move off or break strut.
Gobbling behavior may also give clues to pecking order. Many times, but not always, the first turkey to gobble on a given morning is the dominant bird. However, on occasions when he doesn't gobble first, you may note that other gobbling turkeys suddenly fall silent when he finally sounds off. Another clue is that the hens may yelp back more often and with more excitement to the dominant bird.
Pay close attention to the turkeys' behavior, and you can take that top trophy we all dream about.
Fortunately, there are a few clues that may give a turkey hunter an advantage in picking out the dominant tom.
Most of the time, the biggest and/or oldest gobbler is likely to also be the dominant one within a flock. He can often be identified by the way he acts. When watching a small group of gobblers in the spring as they approach a hen or come to your calling, look for the longbeard that does all or most of the strutting. He will be the dominant bird nearly every time.
The other gobblers around the dominant bird will often strut, too, but usually they will not strut as long or as fully fanned. The boss gobbler may not come out of strut at all, his head is usually pulled in close to his body, and his fan is sticking straight up.
Another clue to identifying pecking order is to watch for attacks from the dominant tom toward other gobblers. The big boy may chase the others, or he may just turn their way, causing them to move off or break strut.
Gobbling behavior may also give clues to pecking order. Many times, but not always, the first turkey to gobble on a given morning is the dominant bird. However, on occasions when he doesn't gobble first, you may note that other gobbling turkeys suddenly fall silent when he finally sounds off. Another clue is that the hens may yelp back more often and with more excitement to the dominant bird.
Pay close attention to the turkeys' behavior, and you can take that top trophy we all dream about.
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DOUBLE TROUBLE with 3 Beards
The morning began with another trip to Blenheim, a farm which we harvested two jakes last weekend. We make our walk back to our blind and get settled in. This week it is my friend Brad Packwood, my brother and myself along for a mother’s day turkey hunt. We get to our blind at about 4:30 am. We sit and enjoy watching mother nature wake up as a deer walks past us no more than 15 yards away, and then a raccoon follows suit totally unaware of our presence.
As the legal shooting time hits, we unsheathe our shotguns, load up and listen to a symphony of gobbles, we look at each other with confident smiles as we know there are at least 5 males roosted behind us no more than 100 yards in the bush. We decided on this hunt since we know there are plenty of mature toms around we can go a more aggressive decoy setup which is primed to bring in some long beards. We have two hens, “pretty mama” by carry lite and “bobbin head hen” by Buckwing, this weekend however we have brought along “B-mobile” by primos and “jake mobile” also by primos.
Within 10 minutes 3 does run across the field into the bush 100 yards in front of us, only to re-emerge 5 minutes later and curiously approach our decoys, however the wind shifted and they moved down wind of us and paced back and forth weary of our presence but unsure as to what we were since we were well hidden in our brush blind. After about 20 minutes of standing amongst our decoys they flee once again out of sight into the bush, and then the fun starts.
We first see a hen 200 yards to our left heading across the field and vanish into the bush, which got our hearts pumping and binoculars active, and then a large tom trailed her by 5 minutes. Behind the tom was jake no more than 5 minutes again, our calls and decoys are no competition for the real thing and they show no interest in coming closer, however no sooner did the jake disappear that 3 toms appear on the horizon and are quickly heading our way. Just when we thought the hunt couldn’t get any better we hear a gobbler behind us. We decide that we will focus on the birds in front of us now no more than 100 yards and still coming to the decoys, with no more calling and level our guns, we wait for them to come in range. On end of my barrel I see two red heads weaving and crossing paths and whisper to Brad that I will shoot the one on the right since it’s my line and I’m sitting to the right of him.
He asks if I’m ready and begins counting to three, 1........2.......bang, we pulled our triggers milliseconds apart and 2 toms are in the dirt, I rush out to retrieve my trophy and pace my shot, 36 yards, and Brads 41 yards, the third tom never came into range for my brother to get an ethical shot and the birds were getting weary so we couldn’t wait for the third to come any closer, a double for the second weekend in a row. We tag our turkeys and notice Brads bird has two rather long beards, which is non-typical and a first for him. Back at the truck we weigh and measure our beards and spurs which prove to be identical, 1 inch spurs and 17 lbs 5oz, and eleven inch beard length.
We arrive at the family farm and celebrate with our family, what a great mother’s day and think turkey hunting can’t get any better than this, or can it? With two more weekends left before season closes we will just have to wait and find out.
Brian Tellier © 2011
Feild Staff
As the legal shooting time hits, we unsheathe our shotguns, load up and listen to a symphony of gobbles, we look at each other with confident smiles as we know there are at least 5 males roosted behind us no more than 100 yards in the bush. We decided on this hunt since we know there are plenty of mature toms around we can go a more aggressive decoy setup which is primed to bring in some long beards. We have two hens, “pretty mama” by carry lite and “bobbin head hen” by Buckwing, this weekend however we have brought along “B-mobile” by primos and “jake mobile” also by primos.
Within 10 minutes 3 does run across the field into the bush 100 yards in front of us, only to re-emerge 5 minutes later and curiously approach our decoys, however the wind shifted and they moved down wind of us and paced back and forth weary of our presence but unsure as to what we were since we were well hidden in our brush blind. After about 20 minutes of standing amongst our decoys they flee once again out of sight into the bush, and then the fun starts.
We first see a hen 200 yards to our left heading across the field and vanish into the bush, which got our hearts pumping and binoculars active, and then a large tom trailed her by 5 minutes. Behind the tom was jake no more than 5 minutes again, our calls and decoys are no competition for the real thing and they show no interest in coming closer, however no sooner did the jake disappear that 3 toms appear on the horizon and are quickly heading our way. Just when we thought the hunt couldn’t get any better we hear a gobbler behind us. We decide that we will focus on the birds in front of us now no more than 100 yards and still coming to the decoys, with no more calling and level our guns, we wait for them to come in range. On end of my barrel I see two red heads weaving and crossing paths and whisper to Brad that I will shoot the one on the right since it’s my line and I’m sitting to the right of him.
He asks if I’m ready and begins counting to three, 1........2.......bang, we pulled our triggers milliseconds apart and 2 toms are in the dirt, I rush out to retrieve my trophy and pace my shot, 36 yards, and Brads 41 yards, the third tom never came into range for my brother to get an ethical shot and the birds were getting weary so we couldn’t wait for the third to come any closer, a double for the second weekend in a row. We tag our turkeys and notice Brads bird has two rather long beards, which is non-typical and a first for him. Back at the truck we weigh and measure our beards and spurs which prove to be identical, 1 inch spurs and 17 lbs 5oz, and eleven inch beard length.
We arrive at the family farm and celebrate with our family, what a great mother’s day and think turkey hunting can’t get any better than this, or can it? With two more weekends left before season closes we will just have to wait and find out.
Brian Tellier © 2011
Feild Staff
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Side By Side - Double SCORE!
It was an early morning drive out to Blenheim with my Dad (Richard Tellier) and my brother (Kevin Tellier), it was a special hunt since both Kevin and dad were sporting new shotguns, Kevin with a Mossberg model 535 and Dad with a new Remington 870. We arrive at the farm at about 5am and make our walk to our blind we had built during our pre scout back in early April with much anticipation, we settle in with dad on my left and Kevin sitting to my right.
Within 15 minutes we see a white silhouette prancing across the field in our direction towards our decoys, and in that instant the gobbling begins. We hear a series of gobbles about 100 yards behind us, so my brother and i proceed to try and spook this already weary whitetail which has us winded but isn’t sure of what we are since she cannot see us. With one whistle the antlerless deer dashes away to our right, no need to have a deer in our lap with turkeys headed our way..
About 45 minutes later we finally see some action, as Dad spots a Tom strutting beyond the far side tree line with his VORTEX binoculars, our hearts race as another Tom joins him and they head our way to the sound of our yelping and putting on my brothers slate call and my box call. Our choice of decoys on this hunt was two hens, a “bobbin head hen” by Buckwing and ”pretty mama” by Carry lite. The Toms crossed a ditch and closed the distance to about 70 yards however never came in for a shot despite our calling, however they circled around us but were behind us and we couldn’t see them through the thick dead fall and brush.
With our attention behind us and our motion frozen looking for a potential shot as we see them for only seconds as white heads pop in and out of view. My brother whispers for us not to move but alerts us about two approaching Jakes across the field, my brother and dad slowly turn and raise their guns and wait for the Jakes to get into range, walking side by side and often crossing each other they make their way into the decoys and my brother starts a count to 3, on 3 two shots are fired milliseconds apart, two Jakes drop and roll and my brother and dad run out to retrieve their birds.
What a hunt, two new guns, two Jakes down and couldn’t have drawn it up better, and this is only April 30th, next weekend, hopefully we get the BIG Toms, with some fresh tags.
Brian Tellier © 2011-04-30
Within 15 minutes we see a white silhouette prancing across the field in our direction towards our decoys, and in that instant the gobbling begins. We hear a series of gobbles about 100 yards behind us, so my brother and i proceed to try and spook this already weary whitetail which has us winded but isn’t sure of what we are since she cannot see us. With one whistle the antlerless deer dashes away to our right, no need to have a deer in our lap with turkeys headed our way..
About 45 minutes later we finally see some action, as Dad spots a Tom strutting beyond the far side tree line with his VORTEX binoculars, our hearts race as another Tom joins him and they head our way to the sound of our yelping and putting on my brothers slate call and my box call. Our choice of decoys on this hunt was two hens, a “bobbin head hen” by Buckwing and ”pretty mama” by Carry lite. The Toms crossed a ditch and closed the distance to about 70 yards however never came in for a shot despite our calling, however they circled around us but were behind us and we couldn’t see them through the thick dead fall and brush.
With our attention behind us and our motion frozen looking for a potential shot as we see them for only seconds as white heads pop in and out of view. My brother whispers for us not to move but alerts us about two approaching Jakes across the field, my brother and dad slowly turn and raise their guns and wait for the Jakes to get into range, walking side by side and often crossing each other they make their way into the decoys and my brother starts a count to 3, on 3 two shots are fired milliseconds apart, two Jakes drop and roll and my brother and dad run out to retrieve their birds.
What a hunt, two new guns, two Jakes down and couldn’t have drawn it up better, and this is only April 30th, next weekend, hopefully we get the BIG Toms, with some fresh tags.
Brian Tellier © 2011-04-30
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Let the TRIBAL RITUALS Begin...
Well as life predicts our daily chores, I have been aching to get out and see if I have any gobblers are in this new location I have recently acquired. Finally with only one hour left of legal shooting I make it to where I think the birds may be enjoying an evening feast. I snuggle up close to a big oak that I had previously had my eye on. With not much time left I didn’t think being picky was an option. The big oak would have to work.
I settle in and let the life return to the woods. I slowly take my daughters “ROOST'EM box call out of my pocket and proceeded to let out a few clucks…in no time at all, I got a response. At first I thought that maybe it was another hunter. The clucks were just like the ones I let out on my box call. With a little disappointment I return the call. The sounds proceeded to get closer and closer. Just then the gobbler poked his head through the fencerow and into the field. I anticipate that he will proceed into my decoys, but to my surprise he makes a large circle just out of range. The big tom stares down my little jake and hen. I can tell he wants to approach but his company of 2 mature hens may be what prohibits him. As the light begins to fade and the rain begins fall, his hens scurry into the woods. Without his harem, the show began. My big tom began his strut. What a show, he fanned himself full and danced a tribal ritual for what seemed endless. This tom still kept his distance but gave me a show of a lifetime. As puffed up as he could possible make himself, he proudly pranced back and forth. Finally when my body could just not sit still any longer, his harem gave him a call and he returned to them. I watched as he joined the others to roost for the long night ahead.
The long walk towards my truck did not seem so lengthy and the smile on my face was hard to remove. I think my new spot may just work out perfectly.
Until next time - Happy Hunting © Danielle Russell
I settle in and let the life return to the woods. I slowly take my daughters “ROOST'EM box call out of my pocket and proceeded to let out a few clucks…in no time at all, I got a response. At first I thought that maybe it was another hunter. The clucks were just like the ones I let out on my box call. With a little disappointment I return the call. The sounds proceeded to get closer and closer. Just then the gobbler poked his head through the fencerow and into the field. I anticipate that he will proceed into my decoys, but to my surprise he makes a large circle just out of range. The big tom stares down my little jake and hen. I can tell he wants to approach but his company of 2 mature hens may be what prohibits him. As the light begins to fade and the rain begins fall, his hens scurry into the woods. Without his harem, the show began. My big tom began his strut. What a show, he fanned himself full and danced a tribal ritual for what seemed endless. This tom still kept his distance but gave me a show of a lifetime. As puffed up as he could possible make himself, he proudly pranced back and forth. Finally when my body could just not sit still any longer, his harem gave him a call and he returned to them. I watched as he joined the others to roost for the long night ahead.
The long walk towards my truck did not seem so lengthy and the smile on my face was hard to remove. I think my new spot may just work out perfectly.
Until next time - Happy Hunting © Danielle Russell
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Lovin' that RASPY HEN
I harvested this 24lb Gobbler this afternoon. 37 yard shot with the old 12 gauge Remington Express.....My first Gobbler.
I arrived at my spot around 5:30 pm, set up the Bobbin Head Hen Decoy and settled into a nice secluded spot with plenty of cover. Did some calling with my Raspy Hen mouth call and within 20 minutes I had a big bird cruising in distance....way off in the distance, this bird was no where near me and I figure it was just making it's rounds.
I quietly changed spots out of boredom and discomfort, moved over 20 yards to a larger tree with a better view. All of the sudden a young doe is roaming around curious to see what's going on in her bedroom. She was very calm, came within 25 yards, I gave her a yelp and she bolted, nice to see a calm spring deer.
Back to my original spot I head. Decoy is out there looking so good, just feels right. Settle back in and hit the MAD Dog Push Button Call for 3 short sequences. Minutes later off in the distance, he gives me the signal.....GOBBLE GOBBLE GOBBLE. Wow, yikes, he's out there, the big one and he should be headed my way in no time. I lay off the call and wait for the big boy to make his way around the corner. 10 minutes later....still waiting, I swear I see movement at the corner of the wheat field, I swear I see a head, my mind is playing tricks again. No, I felt him coming....and here he comes. All I see is RED, head and neck...bright red from 200 yards. The Big Tom is on a rope, heading for my decoy....but oh he is ever so cautious, looking this way, looking that way, checking out the tree line.....but the temptation of the hen was just a tad too much.
I'm looking for the beard, where is the beard....finally I see grey. The gun has been up now for 5 minutes, safety off and heart pounding....this is fun. He takes a turn, not sure about his hen now. Big Tom's neck is stretched out, way out....this is my chance before he bolts. BOOM, 3in magnum #5 Turkey Load, WHACK...neck shot......BIRD DOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!
He did a quick death dance and that was that. I kept the safety off thinking that he would pop up and head for the hills.....nope, neck shot, dead as a door knob.
Great Hunt!
Greg Sweetman
April 29/2010
I arrived at my spot around 5:30 pm, set up the Bobbin Head Hen Decoy and settled into a nice secluded spot with plenty of cover. Did some calling with my Raspy Hen mouth call and within 20 minutes I had a big bird cruising in distance....way off in the distance, this bird was no where near me and I figure it was just making it's rounds.
I quietly changed spots out of boredom and discomfort, moved over 20 yards to a larger tree with a better view. All of the sudden a young doe is roaming around curious to see what's going on in her bedroom. She was very calm, came within 25 yards, I gave her a yelp and she bolted, nice to see a calm spring deer.
Back to my original spot I head. Decoy is out there looking so good, just feels right. Settle back in and hit the MAD Dog Push Button Call for 3 short sequences. Minutes later off in the distance, he gives me the signal.....GOBBLE GOBBLE GOBBLE. Wow, yikes, he's out there, the big one and he should be headed my way in no time. I lay off the call and wait for the big boy to make his way around the corner. 10 minutes later....still waiting, I swear I see movement at the corner of the wheat field, I swear I see a head, my mind is playing tricks again. No, I felt him coming....and here he comes. All I see is RED, head and neck...bright red from 200 yards. The Big Tom is on a rope, heading for my decoy....but oh he is ever so cautious, looking this way, looking that way, checking out the tree line.....but the temptation of the hen was just a tad too much.
I'm looking for the beard, where is the beard....finally I see grey. The gun has been up now for 5 minutes, safety off and heart pounding....this is fun. He takes a turn, not sure about his hen now. Big Tom's neck is stretched out, way out....this is my chance before he bolts. BOOM, 3in magnum #5 Turkey Load, WHACK...neck shot......BIRD DOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!
He did a quick death dance and that was that. I kept the safety off thinking that he would pop up and head for the hills.....nope, neck shot, dead as a door knob.
Great Hunt!
Greg Sweetman
April 29/2010
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Wrong Side of the FENCE
This morning is quiet. The birds are chirping over the faint sounds of the morning commuters. A lone deer slowly grazes across the wheat field and again I am left staring at my decoys in doubt that a turkey will even pass by before I have to leave to go to work. One of the benefits I have of living close to my hunting spot is being able to take a little walk before heading to the office.
Finally around 7:00 am I hear my first gobble. The gobbler is off to the west just at the outskirt of the bush. The area he is in is tall grasses. As he makes his way through the grass following the bush line, he makes himself heard all along the way. Shortly after a single hen steps onto my wheat field and gravitates towards my decoys. They are set-up 20 yards to the north of where I am sitting. The hen pauses every once and a while to reassure herself. I give a soft cluck assuring her it is ok and she continues to graze.
Just then I see some movement off to the right behind the wooden fence. There he is, hiding just inside the grasses. I can see his bold red head hiding behind the second rung of the fence. He gobbles. I bring my gun around and I figure he will step into my field and it will be a done deal. He is just about 45yds away. I wonder if my old 16 gauge will pull off a shot that far. I had thought about bringing out my husbands 12 gauge, but I like my old ITHICA. We talked back and forth for a few minutes and he would gobble like a fool. I knew that I should be getting ready to go to work, but how could I leave now. If he would just take those last few steps and enter the field. Just as I sat motionless thinking that he was too far, he had different plans. Just as quickly as he appeared, he disappeared. He left very slowly occasionally looking back over his shoulder as if to say “Come over here, sweet lady!” He then disappeared.
Knowing I had to go to work I packed up my stuff and headed in. I think I will play his game next time and set up where I have shot closer to the grassy edge. Today’s decoys consisted of one hen and one jake.
Until next time…
Danielle Russell
April 29, 2010
Finally around 7:00 am I hear my first gobble. The gobbler is off to the west just at the outskirt of the bush. The area he is in is tall grasses. As he makes his way through the grass following the bush line, he makes himself heard all along the way. Shortly after a single hen steps onto my wheat field and gravitates towards my decoys. They are set-up 20 yards to the north of where I am sitting. The hen pauses every once and a while to reassure herself. I give a soft cluck assuring her it is ok and she continues to graze.
Just then I see some movement off to the right behind the wooden fence. There he is, hiding just inside the grasses. I can see his bold red head hiding behind the second rung of the fence. He gobbles. I bring my gun around and I figure he will step into my field and it will be a done deal. He is just about 45yds away. I wonder if my old 16 gauge will pull off a shot that far. I had thought about bringing out my husbands 12 gauge, but I like my old ITHICA. We talked back and forth for a few minutes and he would gobble like a fool. I knew that I should be getting ready to go to work, but how could I leave now. If he would just take those last few steps and enter the field. Just as I sat motionless thinking that he was too far, he had different plans. Just as quickly as he appeared, he disappeared. He left very slowly occasionally looking back over his shoulder as if to say “Come over here, sweet lady!” He then disappeared.
Knowing I had to go to work I packed up my stuff and headed in. I think I will play his game next time and set up where I have shot closer to the grassy edge. Today’s decoys consisted of one hen and one jake.
Until next time…
Danielle Russell
April 29, 2010
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Success at Turkey CAMP
As the month of May winds down, 2 trips to Norfolk County and 1 tom in the bag, turkey hunting with my friend we call Bird and another friend Greg. Here is my story.
Opening morning of turkey season,
We get out early in the morning around 4:30 am to our hunting spot where we have harvested turkeys in the past. Now the conditions were much less than ideal as it was raining and very windy, around 25 km winds. We hear a few distant gobbles and have 4 deer walk out of the bush about 20 yds. from us. They walk past without even knowing we were there. A pair of snow geese fly over but nothing else.
Day 2.....the day i shall never forget. The morning starts out with us getting in early in the dark as usual, and we are encouraged as we hear gobbles from several directions and close by. A tom walks out about 45 yds away, he displays, gobbles, and then he disappears before i could draw my gun on him safely without getting busted. He comes out again about 10 mins. later and his beard from a distance of a 100 yds looks very long and seems like at least a 2 yr old tom.
He gobbles, struts and fans out as he makes his way closer, but never comes closer than 70 yds, and walks past us and then back into the bush. About 30 mins. later we decide that maybe we can head this turkey off and walk around the bush and find him. Just as soon as we get out to pick up our decoys, we spot 2 hens heading our way from the far end of the field, we realize that we may be busted, and drop to our bellies and crawl back into the bush but me and my comrads get scattered. As the birds get closer, a flock of turkeys pour out of the bush, about 6 hens, 8 jakes and one strutting tom with a very long beard, my friend Birdman is to my right about 10 yds, but out of whisper earshot, and Greg is about 20 yds to my left not in cover as he got tangled in a rose bush. The turkeys come in and I see jakes on the end of my barrel by my estimate about 15 yds away, but I am waiting for the signal to shoot and the tom 2 get into range as well. Then in an instant the jakes get spooked and i hear a shot, followed by 2 more, than i fire one at a fleeing jake as the one i was aiming at had been shot already.
In the end we got 1 Jake about 14 lbs, no spurs but tasted delicious. The next morning we head back to the same farm, as shooting hour strikes the clock, at 5:47 a gobbler sounds off seemingly right above us and gets my heart pumping. I turn and watch for a descent. After about 25 mins of constant gobbling at every sound nearby, a tom glides down from the tree about 20 yds behind us, right into range and heading for Pretty boy and Pretty girl aka our decoys. As he nears and is still walking at a decent pace, I fire a shot right behind it, and I hear Birdman fire a shot, I then fire another, the tom collapses to the ground and i run out to get my trophy tom, with a 9.5 inch beard, three quarter inch spurs and weighs 21 lbs 1oz. Oh what a Hunt.
Brian Tellier
May 2010
Opening morning of turkey season,
We get out early in the morning around 4:30 am to our hunting spot where we have harvested turkeys in the past. Now the conditions were much less than ideal as it was raining and very windy, around 25 km winds. We hear a few distant gobbles and have 4 deer walk out of the bush about 20 yds. from us. They walk past without even knowing we were there. A pair of snow geese fly over but nothing else.
Day 2.....the day i shall never forget. The morning starts out with us getting in early in the dark as usual, and we are encouraged as we hear gobbles from several directions and close by. A tom walks out about 45 yds away, he displays, gobbles, and then he disappears before i could draw my gun on him safely without getting busted. He comes out again about 10 mins. later and his beard from a distance of a 100 yds looks very long and seems like at least a 2 yr old tom.
He gobbles, struts and fans out as he makes his way closer, but never comes closer than 70 yds, and walks past us and then back into the bush. About 30 mins. later we decide that maybe we can head this turkey off and walk around the bush and find him. Just as soon as we get out to pick up our decoys, we spot 2 hens heading our way from the far end of the field, we realize that we may be busted, and drop to our bellies and crawl back into the bush but me and my comrads get scattered. As the birds get closer, a flock of turkeys pour out of the bush, about 6 hens, 8 jakes and one strutting tom with a very long beard, my friend Birdman is to my right about 10 yds, but out of whisper earshot, and Greg is about 20 yds to my left not in cover as he got tangled in a rose bush. The turkeys come in and I see jakes on the end of my barrel by my estimate about 15 yds away, but I am waiting for the signal to shoot and the tom 2 get into range as well. Then in an instant the jakes get spooked and i hear a shot, followed by 2 more, than i fire one at a fleeing jake as the one i was aiming at had been shot already.
In the end we got 1 Jake about 14 lbs, no spurs but tasted delicious. The next morning we head back to the same farm, as shooting hour strikes the clock, at 5:47 a gobbler sounds off seemingly right above us and gets my heart pumping. I turn and watch for a descent. After about 25 mins of constant gobbling at every sound nearby, a tom glides down from the tree about 20 yds behind us, right into range and heading for Pretty boy and Pretty girl aka our decoys. As he nears and is still walking at a decent pace, I fire a shot right behind it, and I hear Birdman fire a shot, I then fire another, the tom collapses to the ground and i run out to get my trophy tom, with a 9.5 inch beard, three quarter inch spurs and weighs 21 lbs 1oz. Oh what a Hunt.
Brian Tellier
May 2010
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Thunder Struck!
I arrived at my field about 4:00 pm with an approaching thunderstorm looming to the west. After about 15 minutes the thunder started and this caused the birds to shock gobble. A bit of luck had the storm pass by to the north and south and I was missed by the downpour that hit surrounding areas. The first bird I seen was a hen dusting in the field and heading my way. She only made it about half way across then a brief shower chased her into the woods. Shortly after that a gobbler worked his way along the bush edge towards me. He only came half way then spotted the hen in the woods and followed her back from where they came. With the thunder still keeping him vocal I decided to move to them. Once I was within a hundred yards I set up and called. Now 2 more gobblers started answering and moving my way. After about 10 minutes of coaxing they appeared in the field at about 90 yards, and started strutting my way. Thunder in the distance and lightning flashing, (I need a camera man). they moved into range and with a thunderous boom down he went. Twenty three pounds, 9.25 inch beard and one spur an inch long. Tag attached at 5:45 pm. Good hunt!
John Jones
May 2010
John Jones
May 2010
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Nick's FIRST Turkey
The 2009 spring turkey season was passing along when my neighbor asked if I would take his son, Nick, Turkey hunting. He had been trying to call in a Tom on his own with no luck. A few mornings later I found Nick and myself sitting on the ground shoulder to shoulder against a tree in a fencerow about 100yd. from a 25 acre bush that had been good to one of my friends in the past few weeks. My friend had harvested two Toms from the same ground blind. I had done some guiding for the elusive birds and had cut shooting lanes in the fencerow before the season. Nick was licensed but at his age he could not carry his own gun, so I would let him use my old Remington 870 Wingmaster 12g. Chambered for 2 ¾” loads. It was a calm cool morning as darkness gave way to the first light of day, a Tom gobbled really close to us. He sounded like he was still in his tree which excited both of us, especially Nick. Some time passed and he gobbled again, this time I shook my hand held Gobbler call and answered back, there was an immediate response. The next time he gobbled I was sure he was on the ground, and he continued his dominate gobble. I started to talk Hen talk with some soft yelps from my mouth call thinking he would come right to us, but now I could tell he was moving away, and then out of our hearing range. I started to use the box call now as loud as I could, but no response, I thought I had scared him off.
Shortly after daybreak I had loaded my gun with some Imperials, # 6 shot that I like to use, and it was now in Nick’s hands with the safety on. I had told him if and when a Tom or Jake was close enough I would have him shoulder the gun and be ready, so as not to move when the bird came in to the shooting lanes I had prepared. I told Nick to stay on the bird, keep your head on the stock and when the time is right, I will pat you on the leg.
It was now 8:00 AM and a Hen came out on the Soy bean field to our left. She was about 400 yds. away. There was an Alfalfa field on our right and I had set a Hen & Tom Decoy behind us about 20 yds. away and 7 or 8 yds. from the fencerow in the open field. The Hen fed as she moved around, not coming any closer and we watched her for a while as she picked away at the ground for tidbits. She never called that I could hear. “Then” in full Strut came a big Tom out of the bush, the two of them would be maybe 45 yds. out in the open field, and then something I had never seen before, she started running small fast circles around him, then she squatted as if to mate. The Tom never did mount her although she did this about three times. As this was happening a Jake appeared in the field behind the two, keeping his distance from both birds. Now Nick was starting to shake a little and I have to admit I was excited as well. I told Nick if I could get the Hen to come the big Tom would be right behind her, I called some soft yelps and clucks and used the Gobbler call sparingly, the Hen never seemed to pay any attention and the Tom’s were just interested in the Hen. I kept calling with soft yelps and clucks. As she fed she kept coming closer running back toward the bush every so often, but always returned to the field, the Tom and Hen were now within 120 yds. with the Jake was not far behind and the excitement grew. Here is a young hunter with a strange gun and three birds in plain view, then all of a sudden the Hen ran for the bush, I was sure neither of us had moved, I did not call. Shortly she came back to the field, it was time. I whispered to Nick to shoulder the old gun, then the hen came right to the furrow beside the fencerow and walked steadily toward us, I could tell she was a young bird, the Tom stayed back just too far and the Jake behind him a few more yards. Now the Hen was actually right beside us and the Big Tom had moved closer and was now within shooting range for Nick. I could feel him shaking violently against my shoulder as the Tom had come closer and closer, now within range, I patted Nick on the leg. But he had to move to get around a small tree to be able to shoot the big bird in the neck and head, the hen spotted him and turned and ran--- FAST-- REAL FAST--- back to the bush. I think the Tom thought she was just running again & stood his ground. I heard the safety click off and the 12 gauge roared to life. In a ball of feathers the Tom Struggled to gain his footing, but the shot was well placed. The Jake made a hasty retreat North in the open field and out of sight. “NICKS FIRST TOM” I quickly told him to grab that bird and hold him down. What a great way for a young hunter to start his first Turkey season. Nick's turkey had a beard of about 10 inches and spurs about 1 inch. Way to go NICK!
By: Ron Graves © 2010
BUTCHER BUOY FISHING CHARTERS
www.butcherbuoy.homestead.com
Shortly after daybreak I had loaded my gun with some Imperials, # 6 shot that I like to use, and it was now in Nick’s hands with the safety on. I had told him if and when a Tom or Jake was close enough I would have him shoulder the gun and be ready, so as not to move when the bird came in to the shooting lanes I had prepared. I told Nick to stay on the bird, keep your head on the stock and when the time is right, I will pat you on the leg.
It was now 8:00 AM and a Hen came out on the Soy bean field to our left. She was about 400 yds. away. There was an Alfalfa field on our right and I had set a Hen & Tom Decoy behind us about 20 yds. away and 7 or 8 yds. from the fencerow in the open field. The Hen fed as she moved around, not coming any closer and we watched her for a while as she picked away at the ground for tidbits. She never called that I could hear. “Then” in full Strut came a big Tom out of the bush, the two of them would be maybe 45 yds. out in the open field, and then something I had never seen before, she started running small fast circles around him, then she squatted as if to mate. The Tom never did mount her although she did this about three times. As this was happening a Jake appeared in the field behind the two, keeping his distance from both birds. Now Nick was starting to shake a little and I have to admit I was excited as well. I told Nick if I could get the Hen to come the big Tom would be right behind her, I called some soft yelps and clucks and used the Gobbler call sparingly, the Hen never seemed to pay any attention and the Tom’s were just interested in the Hen. I kept calling with soft yelps and clucks. As she fed she kept coming closer running back toward the bush every so often, but always returned to the field, the Tom and Hen were now within 120 yds. with the Jake was not far behind and the excitement grew. Here is a young hunter with a strange gun and three birds in plain view, then all of a sudden the Hen ran for the bush, I was sure neither of us had moved, I did not call. Shortly she came back to the field, it was time. I whispered to Nick to shoulder the old gun, then the hen came right to the furrow beside the fencerow and walked steadily toward us, I could tell she was a young bird, the Tom stayed back just too far and the Jake behind him a few more yards. Now the Hen was actually right beside us and the Big Tom had moved closer and was now within shooting range for Nick. I could feel him shaking violently against my shoulder as the Tom had come closer and closer, now within range, I patted Nick on the leg. But he had to move to get around a small tree to be able to shoot the big bird in the neck and head, the hen spotted him and turned and ran--- FAST-- REAL FAST--- back to the bush. I think the Tom thought she was just running again & stood his ground. I heard the safety click off and the 12 gauge roared to life. In a ball of feathers the Tom Struggled to gain his footing, but the shot was well placed. The Jake made a hasty retreat North in the open field and out of sight. “NICKS FIRST TOM” I quickly told him to grab that bird and hold him down. What a great way for a young hunter to start his first Turkey season. Nick's turkey had a beard of about 10 inches and spurs about 1 inch. Way to go NICK!
By: Ron Graves © 2010
BUTCHER BUOY FISHING CHARTERS
www.butcherbuoy.homestead.com